Log Splitting Preservatives

What is the preservative used to paint the ends of rough logs to keep them from splitting, and where do you get it? Can you use the same stuff to paint the ends of rough-sawn boards to prevent splitting?

Lee Grindinger: The product you’re referring to is a wax emulsion called Anchorseal®. Small quantities are available from woodworking related outlets. If you are dealing with a small quantity of lumber, paraffin melted in a double boiler and brushed on your board ends is just as effective. Paraffin is available in the canning section at the grocery store. Wood loses moisture up to 15 times faster from the end grain, so it’s important to slow this rate to prevent shrinkage at the ends of the boards, which could result in end checking.

John Swanson: The product is Green Wood End Sealer. If not available at your local hardware store, it is available from Rockler Woodworking and Hardware

Carol Reed: A cheap solution is leftover latex paint.

John Brock: Leftover latex house paint works well, and finally gives you a legitimate reason to have stored it for the last 10 years.